Gervais and Merchant will write and direct the series, with BBC head of comedy entertainment Jon Plowman exec producing.

“Extras” is already in production and will bow this summer on BBC2. HBO entertainment president Carolyn Strauss has not yet firmed up the U.S. premiere date but said the show could debut later this year.

“We’re looking for where we can optimize it. This is a very exciting opportunity for us, and we’re going to take advantage of it,” she said.

Gervais said: “It’s an honor to be on the same network that gave us ‘The Sopranos.’ They made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.”

HBO most recently partnered with the BBC on “Rome,” the epic drama bowing on the cabler in the fall, and the films “Dirty War” and “The Gathering Storm.”

“The Office” picked up a pair of Golden Globe awards last year, including the prize for best TV comedy series — a first for a non-American skein. Gervais took actor in a comedy for his performance as insufferable boss David Brent.